The Charlotte Museum of History
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 14, 2013
Contact:
Kay Peninger
The Charlotte Museum of History
704-968-6174 or [email protected]
From The Charlotte Museum of History and Central Piedmont Community College
Sept. 6, 2013:
“A Trifling Place: A Conversation with President George Washington and Captain James
Jack”
Sept. 7, 2013: Patriot Day Celebration
The Charlotte Museum of History and Central Piedmont Community College are pleased to
announce that President George Washington and Captain James Jack will meet in Charlotte for
a special event to be held September 6 and 7, 2013.
On Friday, September 6, President Washington and Captain Jack will meet for a conversation
about events in Charlotte leading up to the American Revolution and the Battle of Charlotte.
Saturday, September 7, 2013, President Washington will host a Patriot Day Celebration at The
Charlotte Museum of History.
Friday, September 6, 2013 at Tate Hall on CPCC Campus
1206 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
1
Tickets can be purchased by calling Shannon Leigh Holbrook, development and event
coordinator at 704-968-5343 or mailing a completed order form that is available on our website,
charlottemuseum.org.
A Trifling Place Conversation
This is a lively, informative conversation between President George Washington, portrayed by
Kevin Grantz, nationally-known speaker and actor, and Captain James Jack, portrayed by Dr.
Tony Zeiss, historian and president of Central Piedmont Community College. Captain Jack
carried the Mecklenburg declaration documents to the Continental Congress in 1775.
6:00 p.m.
Reception
President Washington and Captain Jack will entertain and mingle with guests.
7:30 p.m.
Conversation
The Setting: 1791
President Washington is traveling to Charlotte to thank the residents of Charlotte and
Mecklenburg County for their contribution to the American Revolution. Conversational topics
include the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, Mecklenburg Resolves, the Battle of
Charlotte and the American Revolution. Washington will also share insights into the formation
of the United States of America and the presidency. He and Captain Jack will reminisce about
the great rebellion and will entertain questions from the public.
Dr. Tony Zeiss will portray Captain James Jack. In 1992, Dr. Zeiss became the third president
of Central Piedmont Community College, the largest community college in North Carolina,
serving approximately 70,000 students per year. Dr. Zeiss has authored or co-authored several
books on economic development, adult literacy, national workforce development and the
American Civil and Revolutionary Wars.
Kevin Grantz will portray President George Washington. Grantz is a 25-year veteran of the
stage (over 100 productions), screen (Deep Impact, Species 2), television (Sally Hemings,
Homicide) and radio. Mr. Grantz is nationally known for his portrayals of President George
Washington and is a member of The Screen Actors Guild and the National Speakers
Association- Virginia Chapter. He is president and founder of Virginia Patriots.
Saturday, September 7, 2013 at The Charlotte Museum of History
3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Patriot Day Celebration
Saturday will be a community-wide celebration to welcome President George Washington on his
tour to greet citizens of the new nation. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.
Inside the museum building there will be crafts in the Creativity Room, a Revolutionary War
campsite, the gift shop, and self-guided tours of the museum galleries.
2
On the grounds, visitors can explore the American Freedom Bell, Backcountry Patriot statue,
colonial games, the colonial herb garden, the kitchen, the springhouse, and tours of the historic
Hezekiah Alexander House. The Historical Cooking Guild of the Catawba Valley will
demonstrate eighteenth-century foodways.
During the day, President Washington will ring the American Freedom Bell, dedicate a tree to
the Daughters of the American Revolution, and dedicate a desk donated by the family of Betty
Nisbet, an Alexander descendant and volunteer who has been instrumental in the preservation
of the home site.
Music will be provided the Charlotte Folk Society, who will hold their annual Old-Time Music
Jam & Ice Cream Social. The music jam will include open Old-Time, Celtic, and Bluegrass jam
sessions. Visitors may also enjoy a song circle, storytelling, and a clogging demonstration.
There will be free ice cream for all attendees, as long as supplies last.
These educational activities will bring to life and deepen residents’ understanding of the
American Revolution and the contribution of people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to this
effort.
In the event of rain, all activities will be held inside the museum building and tours of the home
site will be conducted as weather permits.
About The Charlotte Museum of History
The Charlotte Museum of History educates a broad public audience about the founding story of Charlotte
and Mecklenburg County, in the context of national history. Our mission is to provide quality educational
programming at the Hezekiah Alexander Home Site and to preserve the site for the education of present
and future generations. The museum building is the location of a continuing exhibition on the house and
Charlotte neighborhoods.
Following the 2008 economic downturn, The Charlotte Museum of History had an unsustainable business
model. The Board of Trustees made a difficult decision to suspend operations and enter a period of
hibernation. During this time, the board evaluated the operations of the organization and created a new
business plan that is more tightly focused. The result is a leaner, more strategic organization that will
continue to interpret the early history of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. We are again open to the
public for docent-led tours, educational programs for students, and innovative programs that interpret
Charlotte and Mecklenburg County’s early history. We have returned our offices and operations to the
museum building at 3500 Shamrock Drive.
Hezekiah Alexander played a leadership role in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County during the years
North Carolina was a British colony. He was elected by his peers to lead during the critical years of 1774
to 1776 when Committees of Safety served as the de facto government following the end of royal
government. He was then elected to serve as a member of the North Carolina Fifth Provincial Congress
which wrote North Carolina’s first constitution and bill of rights. Hezekiah Alexander is remembered as a
signer of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and the Mecklenburg Resolves.
Completed in 1774, the Hezekiah Alexander House is an important landmark in the history of Charlotte
and Mecklenburg County and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, signifying its
importance to our national heritage. This house is probably the only existing home of a framer of North
Carolina’s 1776 constitution and the oldest existing house in Mecklenburg County.
3
About CPCC
Central Piedmont Community College is one of the largest community colleges in the Carolinas, offering
nearly 300 degree, diploma and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused
continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically
accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC
the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local
employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies. Established in 1963,
CPCC is celebrating 50 years of service to Mecklenburg County residents, business and industry.
4